The United States Monday pledged $5 billion to
support the fight against Nigerian terrorist organization Boko Haram and
is looking for additional ways to support African governments to help
eradicate the militant group. The additional funds will go to the
Multinational Joint Task Force, a coalition of African countries whose
focus is on fighting Boko Haram militants. The U.S. is reportedly in
counterterrorism discussions with newly sworn in Nigerian President
Muhammadu Buhari, has already trained African peacekeepers and has
provided “some equipment” to countries battling Boko Haram.
“We have already been working with them and providing
information,” Linda Thomas-Greenfield, U.S. assistant secretary in the
Bureau of African Affairs, said Monday at a news briefing at the African
Union Summit. “We are providing some training and support and we’d love
to work with the new administration to see how we might increase the
level of support to Nigeria."
“We are also providing some equipment and support, and we
have a number of meetings with the countries who are members of the
Multinational Joint Task Force to look at other areas we might support,”
Thomas-Greenfield added.
At least 13,000 people
have been killed and more than 1.5 million have been displaced in
Nigeria in the six years since Boko Haram launched its campaign to
create an Islamic state. The militant group also has expanded its
campaign to several other African countries.
On Monday, Boko Haram militants were accused of carrying out a double, simultaneous suicide bombing in the capital of Chad, killing at least 27 people and at least 100 others.
Boko Haram long has been a supporter of the Islamic State group and was officially accepted
by the group that controls large areas of Iraq and Syria in March. The
group also known as ISIS called on foreign fighters to make their way to
Nigeria and join Boko Haram. Many of these fighters are likely to come
from neighboring countries and from countries in North Africa.
“While I would not say Africa is under siege, Africa has
some major security challenges that require a very strong and very
concerted strategic effort by African countries and partners to address
the security concerns,” Thomas-Greenfield said.
